Backpack Shoulder Strap Skin Protector

ABSTRACT

A backpack shoulder strap protector includes laminated padded shoulder coverings that are in direct contact with the skin. The padded coverings are held together and in place by elastic material around the waist, also elastic material that is attached between the pads keeping them in place. The primary function is to prevent abrasion and damage of the skin due to the weight and movement of the backpack straps while walking that have clothing or other items under the straps.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a padding device that is wornagainst the skin to prevent the abrasion of the skin due to clothing andother material between straps and the skin.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Despite all the improvements in backpacking equipment, particularly thestraps, clothing and other items are being pressed against the skin bythe weight of backpacks. Clothing between the straps and skin fold,crease and have seams in them that in a short period of time chafe theskin causing tenderness and pain. Depending on the weight of the packand the movement of the hiker this tenderness can rapidly escalate tosever abrasion, breaking of the skin and bleeding.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is generally directed toward the prevention ofabrasion to the skin from backpack straps by a padded shoulder coveringthat is in direct contact with the skin preventing clothing and otheritems from damaging the skin.

In one aspect of the invention the padding device consists of rubberfoam material laminated to a fabric or other soft materials. The softmaterials are in contact with the skin providing a smooth surface thatdoes not chafe backed by foam rubber that is in various thicknesses,depending on the weight of the backpack, to prevent clothing and otheritems roughness and irregularities to cause damage to the skin.

This system enables the user to significantly reduce the unavoidablepressure points caused by the backpack straps that abrade especially thecollar bones, muscles of the shoulders, upper back and chest.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred and alternative embodiments of the present invention aredescribed in the detail below with reference to the diagrams below:

FIG. 1 is a front view of the backpack shoulder strap skin protector fora male according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the backpack shoulder strap skin protector fora female according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the backpack shoulder strap skinprotector for a male according to an embodiment of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the backpack shoulder strap skinprotector for a female according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a male user 102 a wearing the shoulder strap skin protector100 directly on the skin. The padding 103 covering the shoulders, backand chest is a laminated rubber with the rubber on the top and a smothermaterial on the bottom which is in contact with the skin. Variousembodiments of the present disclosure include padding laminations ofmultiple materials to adapt to heavier backpacks, shapes and skinsensitivities. The device is held in place by elastic material aroundthe chest 104 and is kept from moving by elastic between the right andleft pads, front and back 105.

FIG. 2 shows a female user 102 b wearing the shoulder strap skinprotector 101 directly on the skin. This variation of embodiment of thepresent disclosure illustrates one example of this device being usedwith a sports bra 107. The skin protector 101 is worn under the bra andstraps with the front elastic attachment 106 connecting to the waistband 104. Various embodiments of the present disclosure include otherconfigurations that adapt to different body types and undergarments.

FIGS. 1 and 2 shows that the locations of the laminated rubber pad 103to be situated on the primary points of contact between the pack strapsand the areas of the shoulders that receive the greatest amount ofstress and abrasion. The primary points of contact are the trapeziusmuscle at the top of the shoulder and the collar bone or clavicle. Theclavicle anterior surface which is convex or projects out and forward isthe primary surface that receives the most severe damage due toabrasion. Various embodiments of the present disclosure include thepadding and proper location that is required to protect the primarypoints of abrasion while wearing a backpack with shoulder straps.

FIG. 3 illustrates the male users 102 a various locations of the elasticmaterial that surround the waist 104 and connects the laminated rubberpads 105. The elastic material makes it possible to easily put on thedevice by stretching the device over the users head and inserting theuser's arms. The elastic material also keeps it in place while wearingbackpack and allows easy movement while walking. The soft material 108that is laminated to the rubber material is visible in this perspectiveview. Various embodiments of the present disclosure include a range ofsizes and configurations adapting to many different body types.

FIG. 4 illustrates the female users 102 b various locations for theelastic material that connects the rubber laminated material 103 to thewaist band 106 and the elastic material 105 that connects the paddingmaterial 103 in the back. The soft material 108 on the skin side of thelaminated rubber is visible in this perspective view.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated anddescribed, as noted above, many changes can be made without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope ofthe invention is not limited by the disclosure of the preferredembodiment. Instead, the invention should be determined entirely byreference to the claims that follow.

The embodiment of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as follows:
 1. A backpack shoulderstrap protector comprising; A padded device that covers the shouldersthat is worn against the skin under the straps of a backpack. The padsare made of laminated material with a smooth finish that does not abradethe skin, deform or form creases which is worn directly against theskin. The other side of the laminated material is a rubber of variousthicknesses to absorb and even out the irregularities of clothing orother items under the backpack straps. The device is held together byelastic material that holds the padding in place around the waist andconnects the pads front and back to prevent movement.
 2. The backpackshoulder skin protector of claim 1, wherein the device providesprotection to the most vulnerable areas of the shoulders, upper chestand back from abrasion due to the irregularities of clothing and otheritems between the backpack straps and the skin.